Purpose of this Job

The Quality Control Manager will be responsible for the overall management of quality control activities and support development and maintenance of Guayaki's Quality and Food Safety program. This role will provide leadership and guidance to the company's quality control team and be responsible for monitoring ingredient, supplier and copacker food safety and quality verification activities and programs. This role is responsible for maintaining Guayaki specifications ensuring compliance to regulatory requirements and Guayakí's quality and food safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Manage Quality Control activities, personnel related tasks, accounting, scheduling, and development.
• Responsible for designing, implementing, monitoring, and maintaining the verification procedures that support Guayakí's Quality and Food Safety Programs in relation to copackers, raw ingredients, raw materials, and WIPs throughout Guayaki's supply chain.
• Plan, Lead, and organize activities of Quality Control team to ensure timely verification activities:

Activities Include, but are not limited to:

• Copacker production oversight, defining appropriate specifications, testing method and sampling plans, verification of production document accuracy, collecting and analyzing QC data using statistical tools such as SPC, on-site presence and testing protocols, communication with respective QA teams, management of corrective actions and reporting related to copacker activities.
• Ingredient and supplier verification procedures, which may include timely COA reviews and approvals, completing internal testing protocols, sampling, and arranging for 3rd party laboratory analysis as required, and resolving issues in TraceGains.
• Coordinate and manage internal Lab activities for Quality control team including lab equipment maintenance and communicate with R&D on management and scheduling of lab activities. Take part in the Green Lab certification continuous improvement. Lead regular Lab management meetings to ensure proper equipment maintenance and training.
• Management of Quality Coordinator activities related to Consumer Complaints. Conduct initial investigations, collect, and review quality reports, and prepare quarterly reporting. Drive effective Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Action/ Preventive Action (CAPA) program with suppliers and copackers to prevent future quality incidents.
• Directly Oversee and manage copacker and supplier corrective actions.
• Coordinate timely sampling protocols from Co-Packers and Suppliers for retains.
• Support and conduct Co-Packer on-site visits and maintain close communication with copacker's quality leadership teams.
• Develop complete reporting system for quality data and provide key quality performance metrics to other departments including Innovation, Compliance, and Supply Chain.
• Utilize data and feedback from Compliance, R&D, Inventory, Production, Supply Chain, and other Quality team members to improve internal processes and assure implementation of Quality and Food Safety programs across Guayakí
• Work closely with other departments to assure implementation of Food Safety programs across Guayaki operations, including Compliance, Supply chain, Quality Assurance and R&D functions.
• Build and develop the department's expertise by; hiring individuals with the ability and desire to excel, providing goal setting direction, continuous training, including cross functional training
• Maintain a supportive and cooperative environment through regular meetings and team building activities.
• Research, interpret and implement testing protocols or standards. Recommend new testing methods when necessary.
• Ensure effective risk mitigation in food and quality risk management, to reduce or mitigate risks in supply and co-manufacturing.
• Performs other duties as assigned by manager.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following.

• Continuous Learning - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses. Pursues training and development opportunities. Seeks feedback to improve performance. Shares expertise with others. Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills.
• Customer Service - Displays courtesy and sensitivity. Manages difficult or emotional customer situations. Meets commitments. Responds promptly to customer needs. Solicits customer feedback to improve service.
• Planning & Organization - Integrates changes smoothly. Plans for additional resources. Prioritizes and plans work activities. Sets goals and objectives. Uses time efficiently. Works in an organized manner.
• Problem Solving - Develops alternative solutions. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Identifies problems in a timely manner. Resolves problems in initial stages. Works well in group problem solving situations.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities. Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views. Gives and welcomes feedback. Puts success of team above own interests.
• Use of Technology - Adapts to innovative technologies. Demonstrates required skills. Keeps technical skills up to date. Troubleshoots technological problems. Uses technology to increase productivity.

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Nutritional Science, or equivalent. 3 years' experience in a quality control role in food manufacturing environment; organic and/or natural foods experience is a plus. Experience with Food Safety and Quality programs. Familiarity with FDA regulations, HACCP, Food Safety Management programs, or related quality standards. Bilingual in English and Spanish and/or Portuguese is a plus.

• Experience with implementing Quality Control Systems, Familiarity with Food Analytical Testing and Lab management, Food Microbiology and Food Chemistry, Strong Experience with Quality Control tools such as Statistical Process Control, Root Cause Analysis, Familiarity with Six-Sigma or TQM is a plus.

Language Ability:

• Read, analyze, and interpret business, professional, technical, or governmental documents. Draft reports,

business correspondence and procedure manuals. Effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, customers, and the public.

Mathematical Ability:

• Calculate figures and amounts such as ratios, proportions, percentages, areas, extrapolations, circumferences, and volumes. Apply concepts of basic algebra, and statistics. Understand Statistical Process Control (SPC) concepts.

Reasoning Ability:

• Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft 365, Excel, Word. Familiarity with various Supplier management related databases and proficient at conducting internet searches. Experience with Trace Gains and Smartsheet, a plus.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• 3 years experience supervising a team

Company Culture

At Guayakí Yerba Mate, we're about much more than just yerba mate: we believe yerba mate culture is an invitation to life. Our mantra, "COME TO LIFE," is an invitation to personal, social, ecological and cultural regeneration. The regeneration of the planet is at the heart of our business model. Every purchase of Guayakí drives positive global impact. We call it Market Driven Regeneration™, and it's the driving force behind everything we do.

Yerba mate. We love it, we drink it, but what, exactly, is it? Yerba mate is brewed from the nourishing leaves of the yerba mate species of holly tree (Ilex paraguariensis), which is native to the South American Atlantic rainforest. Of the six commonly used stimulants in the world: coffee, tea, kola, cocoa, and guarana, yerba mate triumphs as a balanced, naturally caffeinated option. Guayakí offers bagged loose leaf yerba mate as well as ready-to-drink yerba mate beverages in bottles and cans.

As our team grows, we are looking for people to join us that are passionate and committed to protecting the planet. Our company culture is driven by a collaborative team that supports each other and grows together. We believe that learning from different perspectives and facing challenges is an opportunity to grow. Our people come from different cultures and backgrounds that are welcomed in open and mutually beneficial ways. We question the status quo and seek innovative solutions to evolve the business. We invite individuals who want to work as a collective and use business as a force for good to join our team.

Guayakí Yerba Mate is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, genetic information, national origin, disability, uniform service, veteran status, age, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.